Mystery TV crew tip on Williams' arrest

A day after Melbourne gangland widow Roberta Williams' court appearance on kidnapping charges, police are facing questions over who tipped off media to her arrest.

The 50-year-old former wife of underworld boss Carl Williams is also accused of making threats to kill but has been granted bail by a magistrate.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said on Thursday he couldn't say for sure if his officers had tipped off the Nine network to the raid on Williams' Strathmore home on Wednesday morning.

"It is very well known where she lives and we were there long before the media cameras turned up," he told ABC radio.

Footage showed Williams with hands cuffed behind her back, being led to a police car as she swore at a TV reporter.

Mr Ashton said Nine had been asked how they arrived at the address but "don't think that got us too far".

The reporter told ABC the camera crew had been in the area at the time of the raid.

Williams is one of four people charged with assaulting and threatening to kill Ryan Naumenko at Collingwood on July 9.

The alleged victim was working as a producer on an upcoming reality TV show about Williams' life.

He was allegedly invited to a party only to be tied up with a power cord and beaten, police said.

Williams was bailed in Melbourne Magistrates Court after being charged with 10 offences including deprivation of liberty, false imprisonment, making threats to kill and recklessly and intentionally causing serious injury.